With an estimated 27.2 million passengers expected to cruise this coming year, where will you travel in 2018? Maybe you’ve always wanted to get up-close-and-personal with the whales in Alaska, sink your toes into the white sand beaches of the Caribbean, or to explore the rich history and cultures of Europe. Wherever you want to be in 2018, Norwegian Cruise Line has a cruise for you! Here are some great ideas for bucket list vacations to start planning for now.

Bucket List Cruise Vacations to Take in 2018

Europe

Voted to be ‘Europe's Leading Cruise Line’ 10 years in a row, you know Norwegian Cruise Line has to be doing more than something right! A 9-Day Scandinavia, Russia & Baltic cruise on Norwegian Breakaway will take to you medieval Tallinn, Estonia, where you can admire the Gothic architecture while meandering along its cobblestone streets, and then onto the iconic, colorful spires of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.

Are you a wine connoisseur? Instead of local tasting, think about savoring the flavors of wine in Dubrovnik, Croatia. After that in Rome, Italy, you can marvel at the city itself and then at The Vatican. And then visit the 1891 Achilleion Palace in Corfu, Greece. You can do all these and more on board a Norwegian Spirit 11-Day Mediterranean & Adriatic cruise.

Caribbean & Cuba

With its general close proximity to the US, you’ll be having fun in the Caribbean sun in no time at all. Think swimming with the dolphins in Cozumel, Mexico, while maximizing your vacation time on a 14-Day Western Caribbean on board Norwegian Breakaway. Where you can swim with Flipper. Or a similar dolphin ;)

On an 11-Day Southern Caribbean cruise on board Norwegian Star, you can leisurely float down the Martha Brae River on a 30-foot bamboo raft in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, or try your hand at setting the sails or steering the helm of a classic square-rigged tall ship in Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

And who can resist the mystery of Cuba? This colorful destination is just waiting to teach you about their rum and famous cigars, vibrant art scene, and the classic Cuban rhythms at venues like the legendary Tropicana Cabaret. Plus, the Norwegian Sky 4-Day Cuba & Bahamas cruise includes an open bar (!) and an overnight stay in Havana so you can maximize your time in port. Check out: Cruising to Cuba, What You Should Know.

Classic Cruises: Panama Canal & Transatlantic

Sailing along the 40-mile Panama Canal is a bucket list vacation for many, where besides transiting the canal itself, additional adventures could include catamaraning in Huatulco, Mexico, or ziplining in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Ranging from 11- to 21 days, Panama Canal cruises embark from Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Seattle and Tampa. Or, if a Transatlantic cruise has always been your dream, imagine visiting the picturesque botanical gardens in Funchal, Madeira (Portugal), riding the cable car up to St. Michael's Cave in Gibraltar, UK, followed by playing a round at Belmont Hills Golf Course in Bermuda. Not on the same day, of course ;)

Cultural Cruises: Asia, Hawaii, South America & Australia/New Zealand

The exotic allure of Asia calls on many travelers, and this could be your year to finally fulfill your dream! Norwegian Jewel can take you to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam on her 11-Day Southeast Asia, or to the magnificent Great Wall of China on her 12-Day China & Japan itinerary.

Seeing penguins in their natural habitat is another dream for many travelers. Let the Norwegian Sun whisk you away to Patagonia, and then onto Chile, Argentina, Uruguay (another fantastic destination for wine tasting!) and the Falkland Islands on her 14-Day South American cruise vacation. What an epic bucket list vacation memory this would make!

Being able to visit 4 gorgeous Hawaiian islands, with 2 overnight stays in 7 days, is exactly why Norwegian Cruise Line has been voted ‘Best Hawaii Itinerary’ for 12 consecutive years, impressive! You can take an exhilarating helicopter ride over a volcano, enjoy an authentic Hawaiian luau or pay your respects at Pearl Harbour and the USS Missouri.

Who doesn’t want to see a cuddly koala in Australia?? Or maybe those cute-looking but temperamental Tasmanian devils? You can even ride a steam train or go snorkeling with the tropical fish along the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef!! Norwegian Jewel is just waiting to take you on the adventure of a lifetime down under.

Bucket List Vacations Closer to Home: Alaska & Canada/New England

Picture this: towering glaciers, spouting whales and soaring eagles. You can see this and more from the spectacular Horizon and Observation Lounges on board the newest ship in the fleet, Norwegian Bliss! Viewing Mother Nature at her best during the fall foliage season in Canada & New England brings forth enchanting colors of deep crimson and gold, along with the chance to enjoy a traditional lobster bake in Bar Harbor or to experience beautiful Peggy’s Cove in Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can even go whale watching in Gaspesie, Quebec, who knew??